The City of Toronto held a ceremony today to officially open its first cycle track - a lane for bicycles that is separated from motorized traffic.

The cycle lane, located on Sherbourne Street between Bloor Street and King Street, is the first phase of a 14-kilometre network of cycle tracks planned for the downtown area over the next few years.

"The cycle track on Sherbourne is an important addition to our cycling infrastructure," said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "Separated from lanes of motorized traffic, cyclists can feel safer as they travel across the city and we are confident that the creation of more of these lanes will encourage more people to consider cycling as a viable transportation alternative."

"The Sherbourne cycle track is an exciting addition to Toronto's bicycle network and to our overall transportation infrastructure," said Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "Separated bike lanes are a crucial part of creating complete streets, where cyclists, pedestrians and drivers can safely share the roads while improving our public spaces. This cycle track is an important pilot that explores the next step in enhancing our bike network."

"Sherbourne's separated bike lanes are a significant move in the direction of creating a larger and safer network for cyclists," said Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "This is a model we can all commit to improving further through public consultation on future projects."

The Sherbourne cycle track has new features that distinguish it from the City's painted bicycle lanes, including:

- Buses don't stop in the cycle track - the cycle track is raised to sidewalk level at bus stops to provide accessible passenger loading. Cyclists are required to stop for passengers getting on or off buses.
- Green-coloured bike boxes that provide a safe area for cyclists to wait while making a left turn have been put in place to help cyclists connect with east-west bicycle lanes on Shuter, Gerrard and Wellesley Streets.
- Parking next to the bicycle lane has been removed and lay-bys have been provided at six key locations to facilitate pickup/drop-off activity and commercial deliveries.

City Council has adopted a new cycle track bylaw that sets out the rules of operation for cycle tracks, which include a $150 fine for drivers who stop or park their vehicle on the cycle track. The only exemptions to the bylaw are emergency services or police vehicles actively responding to an emergency, and Wheel Trans vehicles actively loading or unloading passengers.

Transportation Services staff are working with the Toronto Police Service and parking enforcement staff to ticket and tow vehicles that are illegally blocking the cycle track.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.